HUNTINGCROP HALL. 187 



"No, no, my dear," replied the Major, "women are 

 out of place in the hunting field. Don't you think so, 

 Mr. Smoothley ? " 



" I do indeed, Major," I answered, giving Laura's 

 little dog under the table a fearful kick, as I threw out 

 my foot violently to straighten a crease which was 

 severely galling the inside of my left knee. "You had 

 far better go for a quiet ride. Miss Huntingcrop, and" — 

 how sincerely I added — " I shall be delighted to accom- 

 pany you ; there will be plenty of days for me to hunt 

 when you drive to the meet." 



" No, no, Smoothley. It's very kind of you to propose 

 it, but I won't have you sacrificing your day's pleasure," 

 the ]\Iajor made answer, dashing the crumbs of hope 

 from my hungering lips. "You may go a little way, 

 Laura, if you'll promise to stay with Sir William, and 

 do all that he tells you. You won't mind looking after 

 her, Heathertopper ? " 



Old Sir William's build would have forbidden the 

 supposition that he was in any way given to activity, 

 even if the stolidity of his countenance had not assured 

 you that caution was in the habit of marking his guarded 

 way ; and he made suitable response. I was just debat- 

 ing internally as to the least circuitous mode by which I 

 could send myself a telegram, requiring my immediate 

 presence in town, when a sound of hoofs informed us 

 that the horses were approaching ; and gazing anxiously 

 from the window before me, which overlooked the drive 

 in front of the house, I noted their arrival. 



